HOPE OF OUR HEARTS, O LORD, APPEAR!

Hope of our hearts, O Lord, appear!
Thou glorious Star of day,
Shine forth, and chase the dreary night!
With all our tears, away.

No resting-place we seek on earth,
No loveliness we see;
Our eye is on the royal crown,
Prepared for us and Thee.

But, Jesus, Lord! However bright
That crown of joy above,
What is it to the brighter hope
Of dwelling in Thy love?

What to the joy, the deeper joy,
Unmingled, pure, and free,
Of union with our living Head,
Of fellowship with Thee?

This joy e'en now on earth is ours'
But only, Lord, above,
Our hearts, without a pang, shall know
The fullness of Thy love.

There, near Thy heart, upon the throne,
Thy ransomed Church shall see
What grace was in the bleeding Lamb,
Who died to make us free.